Satya Nadella announced Windows 11 reached 1 billion users in Q2, growing 45% year-over-year at a faster pace than Windows 10, signaling strong adoption of Microsoft's latest OS.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that Windows 11 has reached 1 billion users during the company's second fiscal quarter, marking a significant milestone for the operating system that launched in October 2021. The growth rate of 45% year-over-year represents an acceleration compared to Windows 10's adoption trajectory during its comparable lifecycle period.
This achievement comes as Microsoft continues to push Windows 11 as the centerpiece of its personal computing strategy. The company has been gradually sunsetting support for older Windows versions, with Windows 10 reaching end-of-life in October 2025, which has likely accelerated migration to the newer platform.
Windows 11's growth has been fueled by several factors, including Microsoft's aggressive upgrade policies, new hardware requirements that have pushed consumers toward newer devices, and the operating system's enhanced integration with Microsoft's cloud services and AI capabilities. The OS features a redesigned user interface, improved gaming performance through DirectStorage and Auto HDR, and deeper integration with Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant.
The 1 billion user milestone positions Windows 11 as one of the fastest-growing operating systems in Microsoft's history. For context, Windows 10 took approximately four years to reach the same user count after its 2015 launch, while Windows 11 achieved this in just over three years despite more stringent hardware requirements.
Microsoft's gaming division showed mixed results in the same earnings report, with overall gaming revenue declining 9% year-over-year. Xbox hardware revenue dropped 32%, while Xbox content and services, including Game Pass subscriptions, fell 5%. This suggests that while Windows 11 adoption is strong, the broader gaming ecosystem faces challenges in the current market environment.
The Windows 11 milestone arrives amid Microsoft's broader AI transformation, with the company investing heavily in artificial intelligence across its product portfolio. Windows 11 serves as a key distribution platform for Microsoft's AI initiatives, including the integration of Copilot features directly into the operating system experience.
Industry analysts note that reaching 1 billion users provides Microsoft with a massive installed base for deploying new features, services, and AI capabilities. The scale of Windows 11's adoption gives Microsoft significant leverage in negotiations with hardware partners and software developers, while also providing valuable data for improving the platform's performance and security.
Looking ahead, Microsoft is expected to continue evolving Windows 11 with regular feature updates and deeper AI integration. The company's focus on making Windows a more intelligent, cloud-connected platform suggests that the 1 billion user milestone is just the beginning of Windows 11's growth trajectory.
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The achievement also underscores Microsoft's continued dominance in the PC operating system market, where Windows maintains a market share exceeding 70% according to recent industry estimates. As the company phases out support for older Windows versions and introduces new AI-powered features, Windows 11's user base is likely to continue expanding throughout 2026 and beyond.
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